To evaluate functional visual parameters using photocromic and selective blue-violet light filtering spectacle lenses in patients affected by central or peripheral scotoma due to retinal diseases. Sixty patients were enrolled in this study: 30 patients affected by central scotoma, group 1, and 30 affected by peripheral scotoma, group 2. Black on White Best Corrected Visual Acuity (BW-BCVA), White on Black Best Corrected Visual Acuity (WB-BCVA), Mars Contrast Sensitivity (CS) and a Glare Test (GT) were performed to all patients. Test results with blue-violet filter, a short-pass yellow filter and with no filters were compared. All scores from test results increased significantly with blue-violet filters for all patients. The mean BW-BCVA increased from 0.30 ± 0.20 to 0.36 ± 0.21 decimals in group 1 and from 0.44 ± 0.22 to 0.51 ± 0.23 decimals in group 2 (Mean ± SD, p < 0.0001 in both cases). The mean WB-BCVA increased from 0.31 ± 0.19 to 0.38 ± 0.23 decimals in group 1 and from 0.46 ± 0.20 to 0.56 ± 0.22 decimals in group 2 (Mean ± SD, p < 0.0001 in both cases). The letter count for the CS test increased from 26.7 ± 7.9 to 30.06 ± 7.8 in group 1 (Mean ± SD, p = 0.0005) and from 31.5 ± 7.6 to 33.72 ± 7.3 in group 2 (Mean ± SD, p = 0.031). GT was significantly reduced: the letter count increased from 20.93 ± 5.42 to 22.82 ± 4.93 in group 1 (Mean ± SD, p < 0.0001) and from 24.15 ± 5.5 to 25.97 ± 4.7 in group 2 (Mean ± SD, p < 0.0001). Higher scores were recorded with the Blue filter compared to Yellow filter in all tests (p < 0.05). No significant differences in any test results could be detected between the Yellow filter and the No filter condition. The use of a combination of photocromic lens with a selective blue-violet light filter showed functional benefit in all evaluated patients.

The aim of this study is to analyze and compare the progression of photoreceptor atrophy among siblings affected by retinitis pigmentosa by means of spectral SD-OCT. Fifty three eyes of 27 patients belonging to 12 family clusters were analyzed. To assess the annual progression rate of photoreceptor atrophy, the ellipsoid zone (EZ) line was measured in OCT sections through the fovea. We used multivariate generalized mixed effects to model the rate of progression and its relation to the initial ellipsoid zone line width. During our 4.84 years (± 1.44) mean follow up time (range 3–7) 53 eyes were examined. The ellipsoid zone line width declined with a yearly average rate of 76.4 μm (4.16% / year) (p-value < 0.0001). Progression rates were poorly correlated within family clusters (p-value = 0.23) and showed statistical difference between affected siblings (p-value = 0.007). There was no correlation between inter-familiar progression rate and mode of inheritance (p-value = 0.98) as well as between age and ellipsoid zone line width among siblings (p-value = 0.91). RP could be extremely heterogeneous even among siblings: an accurate and sensitive method to follow the progression of the disease is fundamental for future development of clinical trials and therapy strategies.

Purpose: 1) To investigate morphologic and histochemical characteristics of an epiretinal fibrosis removed in an Argus II–implanted eye; 2) to evaluate the Argus II function before and after the fibrosis removal, and 3) to compare morphologic and functional data. Methods: Fibrosis, which developed between the Argus II prosthesis and the retina two years after implant, was surgically removed. Its morphologic and histochemical characteristics were evaluated both in light and transmission electron microscopy, with special stains and immunohistochemistry. The Argus II function was evaluated during the follow-up before surgical removal and 1 month later. Results: Fibrosis was successfully removed. It was composed of a fibrotic tissue with spindle cells arranged in nodular aggregates with a symmetric distribution, mixed with an inflammatory infiltrate. Extra- and intracellular, irregular, small iron particles were found and confirmed ultrastructural characterization with degenerative cellular changes. The repositioned Argus II restored, and its function was partially nearly to normal values 1 month after surgery. Conclusion: Fibrosis can develop between the Argus II and the retina with increasing reduced function. Morphologic characteristics of the removed fibrosis suggested a pathogenesis based on an inflammatory process involved in a foreign body reaction with progressing connective tissue deposition leading to sclerosis. Adequate clinical follow-up is critical to successful removal of the fibrosis with reactivation of the Argus II function.

Purpose: To report and describe the clinical course of a pediatric traumatic macular hole (TMH) case and its management. Case Report: A pediatric patient presented a macular hole following blunt ocular trauma. The patient was followed every 2 weeks for 4 months. After the worsening of the macular hole reported by optical coherence tomography (OCT), pars plana vitrectomy with inverted flap technique plus SF₆ gas tamponade was performed. Traumatic macular hole appeared closed at the OCT during follow-up. Initial visual acuity was counting finger at 30 cm. After surgery, the patient achieved a visual acuity of 20/100 at 3-month follow-up. Conclusion: This case shows a good anatomic and functional success performing a pars plana vitrectomy with inverted flap technique in a large TMH in a pediatric patient. We underline the importance of the surgical timing in the management of similar cases.

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is defined as the buildup of fluid within the retina in the extracellular space, specifically at the level of the macula in the inner nuclear, outer plexiform, Henle’s fiber layer, and subretinal space. Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of visual impairment in industrialized countries and DME is the main reason for vision drop in diabetic patients. Several diagnostic methods are available for the characterization and staging of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and DME; the principal one for DME is optical coherence tomography (OCT), a quick and non-invasive technique that helps in decision-making for therapeutic choices based on biomarkers. Various classifications have been suggested over the years to aid in treatment management for DME. Current therapeutic options include laser photocoagulation, anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) intravitreal injections or corticosteroids, and surgery. Recently, a surgical approach has been proposed with pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in case vitreomacular traction is present together with DME. Refractory DME is a challenging scenario, and it may be managed by switching to a different class of intravitreal medications or with surgical intervention or micropulse laser. Future perspectives include artificial intelligence algorithms based on OCT and OCT-angiography images which may improve diagnosis and treatment of DME with better preservation of visual acuity in diabetic patients.